NCAP Vehicle Crash-Test Results

In 2017, AA South Africa and the Global New Car Assessment Programme (NCAP) teamed up to put some of the most popular cars on South African roads to the test. The idea behind the initiative was to see exactly how safe these vehicles are and whether the various safety features were enough to ensure the safety of not only the driver, but also passengers. Now in its second year, the crash test gives consumers a clear indication as to whether the car they’re driving meets basic global safety standards.

This year, the group tested four entry-level models: The Nissan NP300 “Hardbody”, Hyundai i20, Kia Picanto and Toyota Yaris. Each car had at least one airbag as standard, while only some vehicles had Anti-Lock Brake Systems (ABS) and front passenger airbags. The test also looked at the safety of children, analysing the impact a collision would have on a car seat in the back of a vehicle.

Each car was given a safety rating out of 5. Shocking many experts, the Nissan NP300 received a 0-star rating for adult driver safety, indicating the driver could sustain serious life-changing injuries if involved in a collision. The other three cars tested – the i20, Picanto and Yaris – were given 3-star ratings; an average rating that could do with some improvement.

The points indicated below each star rating is the total scored for each vehicle. Various safety features and their performance during the crash tests make up the final score. A maximum of 17 points can be scored for adult and passenger safety, while a total of 49 can be given for child safety.